KUCHING: Pertubuhan Transformasi Dayak (TRADA), a non-profit organisation focusing on assisting native communities in facing the modern challenges — has urged Sarawak youth to support Malaysia’s sustainable palm oil industry.
Malaysia’s strong commitment to sustainability, particularly with the implementation of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme, is a key driver of economic growth and provides significant livelihoods for smallholders, including many from the Dayak communities.
TRADA president Joseph Janting stressed the crucial role of sustainable palm oil in Malaysia’s economy, noting its contributions to job creation and revenue for smallholders.
However, he warned that unsustainable palm oil production practices can negatively impact the environment, causing deforestation, habitat loss, and biodiversity depletion.
“By engaging Sarawak’s youth in the sustainable palm oil movement, we can cultivate a new generation of environmentally conscious leaders who are committed to driving positive change in their communities.
“We believe that our youth have the passion, creativity, and determination to lead Malaysia’s sustainable palm oil drive. By empowering our youth to champion sustainable agricultural practices, we can create a brighter and more sustainable future for our communities,” he said in a statement.
TRADA’s call to action comes at a critical time as Malaysia seeks to balance economic growth with environmental conservation. As the world’s second-largest producer of palm oil, Malaysia has a unique opportunity to set the standard for sustainable palm oil production.
Additionally, around 96 per cent of Malaysian palm oil plantations are now MSPO-certified under the MSPO scheme. Recent government initiatives have furthered this progress, including a plantation area cap established from 2019 to 2023 and new forestry laws enacted in 2022 to strengthen penalties for illegal logging.
These efforts are yielding results, with 83 per cent of palm oil refining capacity now operating under a ‘No Deforestation, Peat, and Exploitation (NDPE)’ commitment.
The initiatives have led to a reduction in deforestation rates in Malaysia. Global Forest Watch reports a significant decrease in forest loss, demonstrating that reversing deforestation is achievable.
